When you and your best friend decide to live together, it can seem like the best thing in the world. You both are already attached at the hip. Why would living together be any different? Once you begin living together, things could very well begin to change in your friendship. This could very well be for the better, or it could be for the worse. Here’s five things to know before moving in with your best friend. 

It is okay to not spend every second together.

When you first start living with your best friend, you are going to be so excited. You’re going to want to do everything together. However, you do not have to do everything together. In fact, you probably shouldn’t. Everyone needs time by themselves and around other people. 

Your cleaning habits and tendencies might not be the same.

I lived with two girls while in graduate school, and they are some of my closest friends. However, that does not mean that I did not get annoyed at their habits. Make sure you are a good roommate. Pick up after yourself, and be okay with the fact that your roommates might not have the same tendencies as you.

Make sure the financial responsibilities are clear.

Living with your best friend isn’t all fun and games. Talking about money can be uncomfortable, especially when it is one of your best friends. Make sure that before you move in together that both of you understand your financial responsibility, like rent, utilities, etc. This will make it less likely for an uncomfortable conversation down the line. 

You are sharing a small space and nearly everything.

If you’re in college or right out of post grad, you will likely live in a smaller house or apartment, which means that you will likely share everything with your best friend and/or roommate. This means clothes, food, accessories, etc. Because you are sharing everything in such a small space, make sure that you have grace with each other. 

Cherish the days as much as you can.

I love my fiance, but if I could go back and live with my best friends again, I would do it in a heartbeat. Now that we are older, we all have full time jobs and live with our significant others. The days you live with your best friend are the days that you will talk about with your children one day, and think back on throughout the years. You will grow and learn together as you navigate life, which for me, turned into some of the best memories and friendships.

Kallie B
CABINET
When Kallie is not working full time trying to raise money, she is often studying how people process political messages. Powered with 2 undergraduate degrees, 1 graduate degree and now working towards a Ph.D., she has dived into the world of political communication and psychophysiological research. She is a 5th generation Texan, and has been in politics since she was 8 years old.